Liturgy at the Gracanica Monastery on Vidovdan, hundreds of people gathered in the courtyard

Serbian Patriarch Porfirije is conducting the liturgy at the Gracanica Monastery on Vidovdan, where hundreds of people have gathered to commemorate this holiday.

The Patriarch will also hold a memorial service for fallen Serbian heroes after the liturgy, together with the Bishop of Raska-Prizren.

In the courtyard of the Gracanica Monastery, hundreds of people from Kosovo, as well as from Serbia, Montenegro, Republika Srpska, and dignitaries of the church, including Bishop Sava of Marca, Bishop Ilarion of Novo Brdo, Bishop Nektarije of Jegar, and Bishop Petar of Toplica, are present, as well as Archimandrite Danilo, the director of the Patriarchal Administrative Office, and Protodeacon Radomir Vrucinic, the rector of the Saint Sava Seminary in Belgrade.

The event is also attended by Milena Parlic, the assistant director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Mirko Djuric, Mayor of Trebinje, and Ljiljana Subaric, Mayor of Gracanica.

After the service, the traditional "Mother of Nine Jugovics" medals will be awarded to mothers with four or more children.

For Serbs in Kosovo, Vidovdan is one of the most important holidays, usually commemorated at Gazimestan, however, this year, the memorial service is being held for the first time at the Gracanica Monastery.

The presence of the Kosovo Police near the monastery is increased, and members of the Carabinieri and EULEX are also present.